NK susceptibility varies inversely with target cell class I HLA antigen expression

• Published in: The Journal of immunology (1950) Vol. 138; no. 6; pp. 1657 - 1659
• Main Authors: STORKUS, W. J, HOWELL, D. N, SALTER, R. D, DAWSON, J. R, CRESSWELL, P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bethesda, MD American Association of Immunologists 15.03.1987
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Cell Line; Cytotoxic reactions (adcc reaction, cell-mediated lympholysis, complement-dependent cytotoxicity and others); Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Fundamental immunology; HLA Antigens - immunology; HLA-D Antigens - immunology; Humans; Immunity, Innate; Immunobiology; Immunological reactions in vitro; Killer Cells, Natural - immunology; Receptors, Transferrin - physiology; Natural killer cell; Human; HLA-System; Alloantigen; Sensitivity resistance; Major histocompatibility system; Cytotoxicity; Cellular immunity; Target cell; Gene expression; Class I histocompatibility antigen
• ISSN: 0022-1767; 1550-6606
• DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.138.6.1657

Natural killer (NK) cells spontaneously lyse autologous and allogeneic target cells in a manner apparently unrestricted by the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). However, previous studies have suggested that the level of expression of MHC gene products by target cells may influence their interaction with NK effectors. Target cells expressing low levels of MHC antigens exhibit elevated NK sensitivity compared with induced or immuno-selected high MHC antigen expressors. Unlike previous research that suggested and inverse effect of class I antigen expression on the lytic phase of NK-mediated cytolysis alone, report an inverse correlation between in vitro NK reactivity (conjugate formation and cytolysis) and the level of target cell class I antigen expression. Further, NK sensitivity did not correlate with target cell class II antigen or transferrin receptor expression.